[463] Detection of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus in Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Small Cell Carcinoma of the Lung, and Other Skin Cancers

KL Lee, S Husain, MM Mansukhani. Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare yet aggressive skin cancer in humans that tends to occur in elderly and immunosuppressed patients. A recent study discovered an association between MCC and a new human polyomavirus, Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV).
Design: Our study looks for MCPyV by PCR in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from 25 MCC, other skin cancers10 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 10 basal cell carcinoma (BCC), 8 melanomaand 6 small cell carcinomas of the lung. Additionally, control tissue was analyzed from 9 cases of various inflammatory skin conditions. Two primer-probe sets directed at the VP1 gene and large T antigen gene of MCPyV were utilized for real-time PCR detection of viral DNA.
Results: MCPyV was detected in 52% of MCC (13/25), while no MCPyV was found in the other skin cancers (0/10 SCC; 0/10 BCC; 0/8 melanoma) nor in the small cell carcinomas of the lung (0/6). None of the inflammatory skin cases (0/9) were positive.
Conclusions: In this study, MCPyV was identified in over half of MCC cases, but was not detected in other skin cancers, small cell carcinoma of the lung, or control skin samples.
Category: Dermatopathology

Monday, March 9, 2009 9:30 AM

Poster Session I Stowell-Orbison/Autopsy Award # 77, Monday Morning